The results of the nationwide vaccination program, have confirmed that in Australia, the cervical cancer vaccine has been successful towards reducing cancer causing abnormalities by half, especially in women under the age of 20.

This nationwide school vaccination program was implemented in Australia to provide immunization against the human papilla virus (HPV), which is considered to be a major factor in causing cervical cancer.

Mostly the girls were vaccinated at the age of 12. Resultantly, because of the program which was introduced 8 years ago, the rate of cancer causing abnormalities in women aged between 20 and 24 has dropped considerably to 23 percent.

The data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) suggest that cervical cancer related deaths and incidences reduced after the introduction of the National Cervical Screening Program (NCSP) in 1991 and 2002. The data also revealed that in 2012 - 2013 over 3.8 million women participated in the NCSP.

Cervical cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in women. Many women do not take the cervical cancer screening or the Pap smear test, as it is an invasive test. But reports affirm that Pap test helps in saving the lives of over 4,500 women each year.

However, the AIHW clarified that this decrease in cancer causing abnormalities does not apply to the Torres Strait and Aboriginal women.

Justin Harvey, AIHW spokesperson, stated, "Women are encouraged to participate every two years. It can help to not only identify cervical cancer early when it's at a more treatable stage, but it can also help to prevent cervical cancer through detecting abnormalities which can be treated”.

It is thus advisable to all women aged between 18 and 70 years to undergo a Pap test every two years an early diagnose would help in effective treatment.